​The 15 Best Commuter Bags for Carrying All You Need

One of the easiest ways to squeeze in a daily ride is to replace a car commute with a bike commute—whether it’s to and from the office, between classes, or simply to run errands. Of course, replacing your mode of transportation doesn’t eliminate your need to haul stuff. But in order to do that comfortably and efficiently, you need the right bag for the job. So, for example, while one person might need a roomy backpack to carry lunch, a laptop, and a change of clothes to work, another might have an obsession with organization, in which case a bag with lots of pockets and compartments would be a better fit. There’s even a bag on our list that can be both a backpack and a shoulder bag, with the simple switch of the straps. As long as you find the bag that best fits your needs, you’ll have little excuse to skip the ride. Here are some things to think about when choosing a commuter pack.

Comfort Is Key

Whatever bag you buy, make sure the harness (think backpack) or strap (think messenger bag) is comfortable when the bag is loaded with the weight you’d typically carry (listen up, college kids—those books are no joke). Some riders like the extra stability that a waist strap offers, and some packs have a sternum compression strap to help balance unwieldy loads. The straps themselves are also something to consider: Some are wide, some narrow, some with more padding than others. And if hot and humid conditions don’t sway you, do yourself a favor and look for a pack that’s designed with ventilation between it and your back.

Consider What You Carry

First, the obvious: If you haul a ton of stuff, you’ll need a roomy bag. If you don’t, you can get away with something smaller. Let’s say you’re a daily commuter who needs room for a laptop, lunch, and a change of clothes. Look for a backpack (over a messenger bag) that has a padded sleeve to keep your device safe, plus enough room to fit the rest. If your work attire is more business than casual, choose a bag with a larger, protected main compartment that will keep collared shirts from wrinkling. If rain doesn’t hold you back, consider a waterproof bag with waterproof zippers or one with a cover that can be easily deployed when the weather turns.

But let’s say you just need a bag that you can quickly sling over your shoulder for a day of running around town. You don’t need much, just a few necessities—or even just a safe place to stash your phone, keys, and wallet. In this case, a messenger back might be all you need.

Is Eco-Friendly Important to You?

If environmentally friendly products are at the top of your must-have list, look for a bag that uses recycled and upcycled materials, such as the Green Guru Joyride, which is made from street sign scraps, among other fabrics. Like the look of leather but not a fan of where it comes from? The Lolë Lily Bag has a faux-leather bottom and trim.

How Organized Do You Like to Be?

Are you the kind of person who likes to have a spot for everything, from a fleece-lined phone pocket to a place specifically designed for a water bottle or even a zip-up sleeve that lets you slide a yoga mat in for easy carrying? Or can you handle one large main compartment for all the big stuff, with a few smaller ones for the smaller stuff? Do you find value in easy-to-access external pockets, or do you like to keep your valuables on the inside? Keep a few things in mind with regard to pockets: They can add weight, they can increase price, and external ones may not be waterproof.

Visibility Inside and Out

There are a number of ways a pack can make you more visible to motorists. If you don’t mind the double takes you’ll get in the office, go for a bright or hi-vis pack to make yourself more visible on the road. If you do, look for a pack with a removable hi-vis cover. If you commute at dawn, dusk, or in the dark, get a bag with reflective details and/or mounts for a taillight.

As for visibility on the inside of a pack, a bright- or light-colored lining makes finding stuff easier than it would be against a dark interior.

Here are our 15 favorite packs, no matter if you ride in the rain, haul more than you think you’ll need, have a passion for pockets, or just want something with a classic look for the office. Start shopping.

Green Guru Joyride 24L Roll Top Backpack

Made from upcycled materials, so every pack is uniquePrice: $80 Buy Now

Courtesy of Green Guru

If boring’s not your thing, you’ve come to the right place. Every Joyride backpack is made from a combination of new, upcycled, and recycled materials, including industrial fabrics, reflective street sign scraps, waterproof tarps, and aerospace mesh. That means no two are alike. The durable fabrics and roll-top closure ensure crappy weather stays on the outside, and a mid-size main compartment keeps your stuff cozy on the inside. There’s only one additional pocket on this minimalist bag—a large sleeve on the front—so if you’re pocket crazy, this is not the bag for you. A sternum strap holds the bag steady while you ride and there’s a loop for a light.

Lolë Lily Bag

It’s a backpack and a shoulder bagPrice: $140, standard; $160, wool Buy Now

Courtesy of Lolë

This convertible bag goes from backpack to shoulder bag in minutes. Simply unbuckle the backpack straps from the bottom and stash them inside the back pocket (even the buckles tuck away into small zippered sections on the bottom). No matter which way you carry it, though, you get a roomy main compartment, a laptop pocket, a zip-up yoga mat sleeve, a removable cosmetics bag, a long keychain strap, a phone pouch, two water-bottle pockets, and a shoe bag. This might just be the only bag you’ll ever need.

Mission Workshop The Radian Travel Pack

A massive bombproof bag that keeps business attire wrinkle-freePrice: $585 Buy Now

Courtesy of Mission Workshop

A commuter pack and carry-on, the 42-liter Radian is made for riders who haul heavier loads. It has plenty of space inside the waterproof liner, whether you’re riding to the office or jetting across the ocean. Load the pack either through the fully zippered front panel or the flap top with Velcro closure.

In addition to a spacious main compartment, the Radian has laptop, iPad, and water bottle pockets, and a separate organization pocket on the front. An aluminum frame helps support heavier loads, which is rare in commuter packs. The wide, removable hip belt and stabilizing sternum strap help keep swaying to a minimum. The sweat-wicking back panel is plush and adjustable, just like a hiking backpack, so it fits a wide range of bodies comfortably. The pack’s rugged, abrasion- and tear-resistant fabric is designed to gain character and age gracefully without failing. This made-in-San Francisco pack is a little pricey, but it’s also guaranteed for life.

Manhattan Portage Vinyl Vintage Messenger Bag

A 100 percent waterproof messenger with tons of spacePrice: $79 Buy Now

Courtesy of Manhattan Portage

Bring on the rain. The Vinyl Vintage is made from 100 percent waterproof tarpaulin vinyl and has a 1000 denier Cordura–reinforced bottom panel. It’s roomy, too: 12 inches high, 7.5 inches wide, and 19 inches long at the widest part (the top) tapered to about 15 across the bottom. A Velcro flap-top closure reveals an opening large enough to jam all kinds of stuff into the main compartment, and an interior zippered pocket keeps small items from getting lost. The bag comes in shiny black, red, and rain slicker–colored yellow.

Banjo Brothers Canvas Commuter Backpack

A low-sitting, comfortable backpack with a waterproof linerPrice: $100 Buy Now

Courtesy of Banjo Brothers

Designed to sit lower on your back than standard backpacks—to reduce blind spots—this popular bag from Banjo Brothers has a waterproof and replaceable liner ($10) and is made from heavy-duty canvas with a water-repellent, dry-wax finish. Wide shoulder straps are comfortable and include a mounted cell phone holder, and a waist strap secures the bag’s load while you ride. Side pockets fit a U-lock and water bottle, and a tab on back secures a safety light.

Evoc Commuter 18L

Sleek, simple, and waterproof—carry it like a briefcase or wear it as a backpackPrice: $150 Buy Now

Courtesy of Evoc

A side handle lets you carry this bag like a briefcase; the harness lets you wear it like a backpack. Its PVC-free tarpaulin and Cordura exterior is tough and waterproof; even the zippers are coated to keep out rain. Store items you need to grab fast in the spacious front-zip pocket. There are protected sleeves for your iPad and laptop and a half-dozen small pockets to organize everything else, from spare cards for your camera or GoPro to pens and train tickets. It’s sleek and simple and includes a handy taillight clip. Raised foam pads underneath mesh on the back panel reduce sweat buildup on warm days.

Timbuk2 Commute Messenger Bag 2.0

This low-key messenger may look simple, but it has a lot going on. For starters, it can be carried four ways. Sling it across your body for a stable on-bike messenger or adjust the strap for an over-the-shoulder bag. Remove the strap altogether, and it becomes a briefcase for the office (just grab it by the handle) or a travel companion (via the luggage passthrough). There’s an expandable water-bottle pocket and a dedicated laptop sleeve for devices up to 13 inches. Never fear the icky puddle of water on the subway floor again; the bag has a water-resistant bottom. And feel free to open the bag in a quiet conference room; silencer strips keep Velcro closures quiet. Oh, yeah, this bag comes with a lifetime warranty.

North Street Bags Belmont Backpack

Lots of commuter packs are stealth and serious. We love this one because it’s functional and playful. A bookbag/laptop carrier/backpack/rucksack/bike-commuting pack, the brightly colored Belmont loads through a drawstring cover that’s weather-protected by a flat top and secured with buckles. So it’s easy to get into quickly to grab a bike lock or anything else. The waterproof-liner pack has reflective hits on its 1,000 denier Cordura shell for visibility. Zippered and open front and side pockets add to the organization, as does Velcro on the inside, so you can add or remove optional pockets. Add a waist belt to the mesh back if you’re packing this bag full. The Belmont is handmade in Portland, Oregon, and comes with a lifetime warranty.

Thule Pack ’n Pedal Commuter Backpack

A helmet can be awkward to carry once you’re off your bike. Thule’s Pack ’n Pedal Backpack removes that stress with a helmet-carry attachment, which is just one of this pack’s great features. The bag’s reflective main compartment is a waterproof roll top with a bright blue rain cover that stores in a dedicated pocket. Use it on rainy days, or to increase your visibility on overcast ones. Inside, there’s plenty of storage and well-designed organization, including a removable 15-inch laptop sleeve, a “crush-proof” glasses pocket, and a front U-lock pocket. A bright-blue lining in the main compartment makes it easy to find what you’re looking for. Both the pack and the cover have a light mount.

Chrome Citizen Messenger Bag

The Chrome Citizen Messenger is a classic among messenger bags, complete with the iconic Chrome seatbelt-style strap and reflective stitching. The hefty bag can hold up to a 17-inch laptop, and with a 1,000 denier Cordura outer shell and 18-ounce truck-tarp liner, it’s fully waterproof and will be for years. One thing to note: Because of the position of the padding on the strap, the bag is best worn over the left shoulder. As long as you’re okay with that, the Citizen is a comfortable bag that nestles neatly onto your back as you pedal along. And while it’s not quite big enough to go full courier, it is big enough to hold a change of clothes, your laptop, and whatever other essentials you need for your day.

Ortlieb Commuter Daypack City

If you bike in the rain, and want to make sure your laptop, work clothes, and other gear are protected, Ortlieb’s Commuter Daypack City is a great choice. The 21-liter pack is made from polyurethane-laminated nylon, which is tough and waterproof, and beads water, whether it’s rain from the sky above or spray from your wheel below. Air-permeable shoulder straps reduce sweat on hot and muggy days, and the padded back has cooling ventilation channels to wick sweat. Seal your gear inside with the dry bag–style roll-top closure. Then clip on your taillight and stash your U-lock—the pack has dedicated spots for both.

Flowfold Denizen Limited

A tote-style bag that also carries as a pack, this 14-liter bag is great for occasional commuters who want to use this pack to pick up a few groceries, bike to the beach, or carry essentials on any ride. The coated fabric is tough but light, water-resistant, and debris shedding, though not waterproof. An external zip pocket makes it quick to grab an ID or wallet. Whether loaded with gym gear in the main compartment or a laptop in the 13-inch padded sleeve, this made-in-the-USA bag was is comfortable to carry as a pack as it is to carry as a tote.

Pacsafe Vibe 25 Anti-Theft 25L Backpack

If you’re worried about security, Pacsafe’s Vibe 25 will help you keep your contents safe. The nylon-twill pack has a hidden slash-proof mesh in the main bag, and slash-proof straps. Pockets are RFID-blocked, so thieves can’t steal your personal or credit card information. And the zippers have security clips that, when engaged, make them more time consuming to open, which can deter prying fingers. While it’s not cycling-specific, the bag works for short trips. It holds a 13-inch laptop in a padded sleeve, with office-style organizational pockets for small items. EVA foam adds a layer of protection between your back and your load. And a sternum strap helps stabilize the pack while you’re riding. Even with all the added protection, the bag is relatively light at just over 2 pounds.

Chrome Classic Messenger Bag

Messenger utility, with a little more polished lookPrice: $119 Buy Now

Chrome

Love the look of old-school messenger bags, but work in an office that’s a little too uptight for bike messenger chic? Split the difference with Chrome’s more subtly stylish Classic Messenger Bag. It’s made with the same high-quality, weatherproof 1,000 denier Cordura and created using the same design, but with a more briefcase-inspired look. Internal pockets include one larger section and a thinner pocket sized perfectly for papers and folders, plus a few smaller dividing pockets intended for phones, keys, pens, and the snacks you need to survive the workday.

Brooks England Pickwick Backpack 26LT

A classy, minimalist backpack that gets better with timePrice: $260 Buy Now

Courtesy of Brooks

Made from water-resistant cotton canvas and sporting vegetable-tanned leather details, the Pickwick is a top pick for its classic style and minimalist design. The designed-in-London/made-in-Italy, 26-liter pack has a 15-inch laptop sleeve and a secret pocket on the back (if you’re the type who needs a pocket for everything, look elsewhere) . It comes in nine cool colors, including yellow, basil green, and Chianti (like the wine). But it’s not just the waxed canvas that changes color, the leather details do, as well. This roll-top pack (which rolls toward your back to close) is made from the kinds of materials that will only get better with time.

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